Winter Adventures

It’s a new year, and things are already looking different. For one, it seems we already have more snow from December alone than we did all of last winter. And unlike last year, I now have to worry about dressing not only myself for cold days outside, but also my 5-month-old daughter. While she’s not a huge fan of bundling up and wearing mittens, she doesn’t seem to mind the snow. I can’t wait to see what adventures the future holds. With so little snow last year, there wasn’t much in the way of snowshoeing, snowmobiling, or cross-country skiing. Hopefully, this winter will deliver—so far, so good.

Looking for a new type of outdoor adventure? Dana Johnson suggests trying winter trail running. Feeling competitive? Take part in the Duluth Winter Trailrunning Series. The next race takes place on Jan. 4 in Lester Park, followed by a race on Jan. 25 in Hartley Park, and another on Feb. 15 in Lester Park. Want to go ice fishing? Joe Shead recommends trying Caribou Lake, just a short drive from Duluth. And Gord Ellis teaches us all about the evolution of the ice fishing rod in his latest Northern Trails column.

Unfortunately, as with any activity, there’s always the risk of injury. Tom Watson reminds us to stay safe outdoors and watch for snow cornices, tree wells, avalanches, and snow bridges. Erin Altemus, a registered nurse at North Shore Health in Grand Marais, writes about common winter emergencies seen in the ER. Most of these are tibula/fibula injuries and concussions, alongside the usual cardiac problems, stroke symptoms, migraines, and abdominal pains.

Don’t feel like braving the cold? Michelle Miller suggests visiting the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth, where you can say hello to Fitz, a giant Pacific octopus in the Oceans Alive exhibit. Or check out the new art exhibit by Alexa Carson, opening Thursday, Jan. 16, and running through March 24.

Don’t forget to check out the winners of our 2024 For the Love of the North photo contest on pages 16-17. I know our professional photographer judges had a hard time picking the winners, as there were so many great photos to choose from. For this reason, I included some honorable mentions in my Spotlight piece, but with over 500 entries, there are still many more photos worthy of showcasing. Thank you to our judges and everyone who participated in the contest. Be sure to keep an eye out for our 2025 photo contest, coming this summer.

On behalf of everyone here at Northern Wilds, have a wonderful New Year and enjoy the snow!—Breana Johnson